A blur. Thats all he could remember. A blur of feelings. Not particularly very good ones. The 43 year old man grunted as he sat down at his desk. It had only been 32 hours since the horrible incident. The incident that he couldn't even think too long on before beginning to feel his heart ache.
Letting out a grunt, the chief made eye contact with the man in front of him. Dr Sam Owens had the talent of helping him out except at the worst timing. Surprisingly enough the doctor had convinced him to leave his daughter with the other kids at the hospital.
He noted many things that had shocked him that day. Including that all the Doc had to do was hold up one file in his face, and insist that they needed to talk. Which they indeed needed to talk.
The two men had just been sitting there not saying a word. Nothing needed to be said to make this moment every bit harder. Hop slowly leaned back into his chair, running his hands over his face. Simply waiting for the man who currently sat in front of him to start talking.
"I...uh-" he watched as the Doctor thought long and hard on his words. "I know that...there is no way that I can possibly ease your concerns right now." Owens looked down to his hands for a moment before looking back to the Chief.
Jim knew right then and there that he was damn right. "However, we will do whatever we can to find her." The Doc's voice cracked at this statement and Hopper looked away from him.
This had been the first moment for him to think of everything that's happened. The first moment for him to breathe. To feel the pain.
Exasperated and exhausted the burley man limped his way in the damp and dark parking lot. Very fed up with the Russian uniform that also showed off the bullet holes that he planted there himself. The mix of blue and red lights blinded him. Bringing up his hand to cover his eyes from the light, He spotted a certain yellow figure in distance. Soon enough he got closer to the figure.
Finding his tearful daughter. He had quickly taken her into his arms. Knowing that she was safe. Hearing mild cries from her as she hid her face into his chest. He held her so tightly that he didn't have the heart to ever let go.
Although, seeing yet another figure sitting in the back of one of the ambulances had taken a chunk of his relief from him. He didn't even need to be face to face with the young Byers boy to know that he was crying. Whether it was a sudden instinct or not. Hop instantly headed over to the ailing boy. Bringing El alongside him.
He gently rested his hands on the scrawny boy's shoulders. "I-s...Is sh-e?" Will had barely choked out of his sobs. Hopper's eyes had widened at the suggestion. "No kid." he insisted to him. Looking him straight into the eyes. Her eyes.
"No. She's alive and I'm going to find her." He had told him. Bringing him into a firm embrace. Feeling the teen boy shake in his arms. He gently left a tender kiss in Will's thick brown locks. Becoming his rock. Being someone that he could rely upon.
"I will find her. I promise." He declared to the boy. Hoping to God that he hadn't just lied to the kid.
The chief's blue eyes met Owens. Doing his utmost best to keep them from leaking one tear. Letting out a large sigh. "That's damn right. You will do everything in your power to find her." Hopper finally snapped. Shaking his head in complete frustration.
He then finally stood from his seat. Moaning a bit in the process. Fully aware of all of the bruises that he had gained in the past few hours. "You and whatever God damn American Army are going to do whatever to step up your game and find Joyce Byers!" He had raised his voice, feeling his throat ache a bit.
The older man hadn't even flinched. He had somewhat of an understanding of exactly where he was coming from. "Yes, as I've sai-" before he could finish the Chief leaned over to his level, placing each of his hands onto the arm rests.
"Your word." he stated bluntly. "I need, your word." he leaned back against his desk. Simply waiting for a positive response to him. To this Owens nodded his head. "You have my word Jim." he reassured the 43 year old man.
The older man reached forward to the desk for the file he brought with him. He then held it out to Hop. "You're going to need to read this." he informed him. Raising his eyebrows a bit as he held the file to him.
"What the hell is it?" He inquired him. Taking it from him. Looking to the Doc, the curly haired man simply gestured to the file with his head. Without thinking fully on it, he opened the file.
"Look you have nothing now. No machine and no more comrades." Jim did his best to sound as convincing and calm as possible. With the jurrasic situation at hand. Keeping eye contact with the Russian. He even gentle took a small step forward.
"Nothing?" Grigori spoke back with his thick accent. Taking a small step back with Joyce in tow. "You call zis nothing?" A small devious grin formed onto his mouth as he gestured to the woman he held in his hands. Constantly tightening his grip.
Hopper wanted so badly to kill him. He wanted so badly to break his nose. "Please..." He didn't want to beg. But he most certainly had to. "Please just let her go." He pleaded him. Thinking of anything in his power to make this situation any better.
Joyce had closed her eyes at this. She knew what he knew. This was it. Opening her eyes a single tear fell from her eye. Killing the Chief even more. He was so stupid to even consider bringing her here with him.
Although, his thoughts were broken by a distant yelling. His eyebrows furrowed in a bit of puzzlement. "Hey! Joyce, Jim. You alright!?" Murray yelled up to them. Waiting for any response. Hop looked to the deadly man receiving a simple scowl and a slight nod.
Stepping over to the glass window, keeping the two of them in his eyeline he looked down to an expecting Murray. "Yeah, we're alright up here." He replied to him. Doing his best to send some kind of message to him. "Ahem, we're just up here with a-a ruskey that happens to have a hold of Wheelbarrow...you get that Bald Eagle?" Jim watched as Murray's face immediately changed from joy to complete terror.
The Sheriff shook his head in disbelief. Trying to force back the memories. He peered down at the file to find a few papers inside, glancing at the top one he scoffed in disgust. The paper wrote: JOYCE BYERS DIES IN STARCOURT MALL FIRE. It then went into a story of a mystery fire at Starcourt.
Jim looked up to Owens. Shaking his head. "You son of a bitch. Why?" He heard his voice waver a bit. Cursing himself for not being rigid enough for this conversation. "I know what you're thinking." The Doc finally stood from his seat to stretch his legs.
"We just don't want anyone else thinking about solving this case for us." He complied for the distressed man. Taking about three steps around the room beginning to pace. "Continue, there's more." He suggested to him.
Jim glared at him before going to the next page. Then finding two pages that instantly confused him. "What the hell are Will and Johnathan's birth certificates doing in this file?" He looked to Owens quite lost.
"Just read the whole paper Jim." he had retorted back. Not even looking at him, the doctor placed both of his hands onto his hips. Exhaling a small breath of air the Sheriff read the page, mostly skimming through it. Finally landing on Joyce's name and the name written next to it.
As everyone entered the Hospital, Jim finally had stripped away the Russian uniform. Revealing his pink flamingo shirt from underneath. Prior to entering the building he had ridden with Will and El in the ambulance. Apparently Owens had sent out the order to every doctor to examine everyone who was in the fire, to make sure everyone was okay. Hop was quite beat up.
But he didn't care, he only wanted to make sure everyone else was alright. Especially El and Joyce's boys. He chuckled lightly at the thought of how each time Him and Joyce had referred to the kids as 'our children'. That small smile that formed damped a bit as he walked up to the two boys that were currently in his thoughts.
Considering the circumstances Johnathan didn't look as bad as he expected. He supposed the young adult was used to it by now. Although, when he looked to Will he could see that he was truly drained and devastated. "Ahem...How are you two holding up?" he asked the boys. Mainly directing the question to Johnathan.
"We're fine. Physically." The 18 year old stated bluntly. Fidgeting with his hands. The Chief could tell that he had also been crying. Letting out a breath of air, he gently rested his hand onto the young man's shoulder.
"Like I said to Will. I promise both of you." he looked to both of them. Wanting them to understand his promise. "I will find her. I will." After saying these words both of the boys broke into tears.
Without another word he gently took both of them into his arms. Doing nothing but holding them.
Down at the bottom each birth certificate lay his name Jim Hopper alongside Joyce's. He looked up to Owens with teary eyes. "We need all of you to lay low for a while." The Doc started, leaning onto his good leg. "I understand that Joyce...had the thoughts of moving. I think that will be the best bet for all of you."
Jim set down the file, standing from the desk. He turned away from him. Looking out the window, noticing the sun coming farther up into the sky. "You want me...Chief of Hawkins police to move with the Byers boys?" He was trying to understand the convenience of this idea.
"Jim, everyone will be wondering what will happen to her boys. So if anyone asks, you're being transferred to Maine and you will be leaving the boys with their father. Now before you start yelling." Owens had seen Hopper's expression at the thought of leaving the boys with their uncaring father. "That's just going to be a cover up."
Hop rolled his eyes at this, yet another cover up story. When would those ever end? "So what? I'm taking the boys and El away from their friends? There family?" He concluded. Raising his eyebrows at the thought.
Owens let out a long breath. He could tell that he was quite tired. But not as tired as him. Certainly not as tired as Joyce might be this very moment. "I know that this will be very hard. But its the best chance for us to find her. Finding her before...well before something worse may happen."
"So you'll introduce yourself, Jane and the boys as your kids. To whoever you meet in...well Maine. You know that no one can know what truly happened here." He concluded walking to the door of the Sheriff's office. Opening it, looked back to Hopper. "I'm truly sorry...We will be in touch soon."
Hopper didn't even have any more energy to stop him. He sighed getting up from the desk. Taking the orange file into his hand he opened one of the drawers to the dark wooden desk he set the file inside. Knowing very well that he would have to deal with it later.
•~•
Murray Bauman never thought that he'd be at a hospital stuck with a dozen of kids and teenagers. He had rid himself of the sweaty Russian uniform. Now he was simply dressed in his white tanktop. He may have been stuck with kids he didn't really know, but it was a bit nice to see Nancy and Johnathan again.
Despite the circumstances. Among all the kids he noticed a certain girl that looked familiar, not from seeing her back at the the mall with Hop. But from seeing the drawing of her on his wall. He had almost forgot about the whole theory of thinking that she was Russian.
He sure knew she wasn't Russian. However, the ex-reporter's thoughts changed as he saw Jim enter the Hospital and immediately embrace the young girl. Everyone had most certainly been through a lot.
Murray had completely froze in shock. He had clearly got Jim's message. Knowing very well that talking anymore would only be worse for Joyce he silently nodded his head in understanding. He watched as Jim dissapeared from his view. Now he was very on edge.
Murray took one step forward before he heard it. He heard the faint sound of yelling. Then suddenly a gun shot and screaming. This immediately caused him to start running. "Jim! Joyce!!!" he yelled. Running up the steps he slammed open the door.
Nobody could be found. "Jim!!! Joyce!?" He called out again. Running around one of the many machines in the room, that's when he found him. "Son of a bitch! Jim!" He ran to the unconscious man that layed motionless on the ground. "Please don't be dead. Don't you dare be dead!" He cried out. Letting out a large grunt as he turned him onto his back, letting out a breath of relief when he found no bullet wound.
"Come on Jim. Jim, wake up. Wake up!" He began smacking his face. Trying anything to wake him up. "Dammit Jim! Wake up!" He yelled down to him. Shaking the Chief's limb body. Suddenly, the unconscious man began coughing. Rolling onto his side.
"Argh! J-Joyce!? JOYCE!!!" Hop had yelled out. Grunting as he instantly stood up. Murray hurriedly helped him to his feet. "Wait...Jim. Where is Joyce?" he questioned him. Not missing the complete terror in Jim's eyes. "Where is Joyce!?" he raised his voice, snapping the Sheriff out of his shocked state.
"He took her..." He gasped out. Pushing past the shorter man. "Wha-Jim!" He exclaimed as Hopper began helplessly looking everywhere. "He TOOK HER! THE SON OF BITCH TOOK HER!!!" Hopper yelled back to him. Not even looking to him, he grabbed the door and swung it open.
"Where do you think you're going?" Murray grabbed onto the 43 year olds shoulder. Hop immediately grabbed Murray by his collar, shoving him against the wall. "I'm going to go find her." He snapped, looking extremely determined. "Jim you have no idea where he's gone. Right now the best thing you can do for Joyce, is get the hell out of here."
Before Hop could say anything back they both heard the distant sound of running footsteps and yelling. "Shit! Jim c'mon! Come on!!! We need to go!" Murray had finally pried his hands from his collar, before dragging him out to the exit he had found. Running down the hallways before being abruptly stopped by the American Armed forces.
Murray stood from his seat and made eye contact with the taller man. "Hey. Jim we should talk." He stated. Glancing down at the young girl before looking back to Jim. "Privately." he added.
Jim had simply nodded while giving the young teen a peck on her bandaged forehead. Then the two walked over to a bit more secluded area in the dank hospital. "What is it?" The Chief breathed out. With a clear tone of exhaustion.
"I'm planning on going back to my place and I'm going to continue to do my digging. I'm going to do anything I can do to help you find her." The 42 year old man declared. He was determined to do his best to get those two lovebirds back together.
No matter how hard or how long it may take. He couldn't let Jim do this alone and he wasn't alone. Jim nodded at this, looking to Murray with gratitude. "Yeah, I um...thanks, thank you for that. I'll remember to keep in touch." He coughed up his words. Using his best attempts to keep his tears at bay.
The bruised up man firmly placed his hand onto Murray's shoulder. Patting it firmly. "Thank you and stay safe." He added, not sure if he could function loosing one of his most resourceful friends.
•~•
Hopper slowly opened the front door of the Byers house. Trying to remember when the last time he was here. His best guess was when he had taken El and Will to get Icecream just after the Snow Ball. He had remembered insisting on giving the Boy a ride with him back safely home.
Joyce wasn't very keen with letting him out of her sight. With a long process of persuading, the Chief had brought him home safely. Also witnessing El and her exchange a brief hug. His brief memory soon vanished as Johnathan pushed past him inside.
He definitely couldn't blame the kid if he felt any harsh feelings to him. He was the one that brought her down there in the first place. Hopper stepped aside for Will and El to enter the quiet house. He shut the door behind him, placing his hands onto his hips. "I know its already morning. But why don't we all get some sleep?"
He suggested to the three, patiently waiting for any response. "sure..." Hop barely heard Johnathan mutter under his breath before heading to his room. Hop then watched as Will followed in tow heading into his own room. "Where do I sleep?"
Jim looked to his daughter. Letting out a breath he gave her a gentle smile. "You can sleep in Joyce's room." he watched as she gave a small smile back to him before nodding in agreement. He then lead her down the hallway discovering the partial opened door. "Go ahead." he nodded to El.
He stood back as he allowed her to open the door. She had a small limp as she walked into the bedroom. Taking it all in. "Just like Joyce." Eleven mumbled quietly. "What did you say?" Hopper asked her, not sure if he heard her right.
"Just...like Joyce." Eleven repeated her statement. Trying her best to get the words across to him. For him to truly understand her meaning. Hop glanced around the room, not even daring to enter. "Yeah that's right." He smiled to her, before he went to the close the door.
However he left it about three inches open.
•~•
A/N: YAY!!! There it is! I hope you enjoyed it. This was honestly really hard to write because I wanted to do the best of capturing each of the characters through my words. What do you think will happen next? How will Hop and the others be holding up? You'll get to see in the next chapter!
